Device, system and method of wireless communication over non-contiguous channels

ABSTRACT

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication over non-contiguous channels. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting symbols of a wireless communication packet to a wireless communication device over a plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/049,365, filed Oct. 9, 2013, which is aContinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/787,825entitled “Device, System and Method of Wireless Communication OverNon-Contiguous Channels”, filed May 26, 2010, the entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

An increased throughput, e.g., above 1 Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) perwireless communication client, may be required in order, for example, tosatisfy a demand for transferring increased amounts of data withinwireless communication networks, such as, for example, wireless localarea networks (WLAN) and/or wireless personal area networks (WPAN).

The increased throughput may be achieved, for example, by using acommunication link having a wide bandwidth. For example, a bandwidth ofmore than 80 Mega-Hertz (MHz) may be required in order to provide athroughput greater than 1 Gbps, e.g., in a network operating over afrequency band of 5 Giga-Hertz (GHz) in accordance with the IEEE 802.11standards.

A plurality of wireless communication channels may be required in orderto achieve the high bandwidth. For example, more than four 20 MHzchannels may be required, e.g., according to the IEEE 802.11 standards,in order to achiever a bandwidth of more than 80 MHz.

However, a likelihood of allocating a channel having a wide bandwidthmay be relatively low due, for example, to interference, overlappingnetworks, regulatory limitations, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to otherelements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numeralsmay be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. The figures are listed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a transmission scheme of awireless communication packet, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a signaling field, in accordancewith one demonstrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a signaling field, in accordancewith another demonstrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of wirelesscommunication over non-contiguous channels, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an article of manufacture, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing”,“computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information storage medium that may storeinstructions to perform operations and/or processes.

The terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, “a plurality ofitems” includes two or more items.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, anon-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehiculardevice, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumerdevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communicationstation, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP),a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device,an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), aBlu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD)player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVDrecorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, avideo source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereotuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a PersonalMedia Player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audioplayer, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gamingdevice, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), awired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless VideoArea Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN),a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN) communication system, aPersonal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 (IEEEStandard for Information technology—Telecommunications and informationexchange between systems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specificrequirements, Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) andPhysical Layer (PHY) Specifications—June 2007), 802.11n, 802.11ac,802.11 task group ad (TGad) (“the 802.11 standards”), 802.16 (IEEE-Std802.16, 2004 Edition, Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless AccessSystems), 802.16d, 802.16e (IEEE-Std 802.16e, 2005 Edition, Physical andMedium Access Control Layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation inLicensed Bands), 802.16f, 802.16m standards (“the 802.16 standards”)and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance(WGA) and/or WirelessHD™ specifications and/or future versions and/orderivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordancewith existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE),and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or deviceswhich are part of the above networks, one way and/or two-way radiocommunication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, acellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal CommunicationSystems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wirelesscommunication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System(GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiveror chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a MultipleInput Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a device having oneor more internal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital VideoBroadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices orsystems, a wired or wireless handheld device (e.g., BlackBerry, PalmTreo), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM),Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrierCDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT),Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™,Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G,2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or thelike. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systemsand/or networks.

The term “wireless device” as used herein includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a communication station capable of wirelesscommunication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wirelesscommunication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, awireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integratedwith a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In somedemonstrative embodiments, the term “wireless device” may optionallyinclude a wireless service.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a blockdiagram of a system 100 in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 mayinclude one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wirelesscommunication devices 102 and/or 106, capable of communicating content,data, information and/or signals over a wireless communication link 116,e.g., as described in detail below. One or more elements of system 100may optionally be capable of communicating over any suitable wiredcommunication links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 106 may include, for example, a PC, a desktop computer, a mobilecomputer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, aserver computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a PDA device, ahandheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybriddevice (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA devicefunctionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehiculardevice, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portabledevice, a cellular telephone, a handset, a PCS device, a PDA devicewhich incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableGPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, anon-desktop computer, a “Carry Small Live Large” (CSLL) device, an UltraMobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device(MID), an “Origami” device or computing device, a device that supportsDynamically Composable Computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a videodevice, an audio device, an A/V device, a STB, a BD player, a BDrecorder, a DVD player, a HD DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVDrecorder, a PVR, a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audiosource, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radioreceiver, a flat panel display, a PMP, a DVC, a digital audio player, aspeaker, an audio receiver, a gaming device, an audio amplifier, a datasource, a data sink, a DSC, a media player, a Smartphone, a television,a music player, an AP, a base station, or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a wirelesscommunication unit 108 to transmit, via one or more antennae 112, awireless transmission to device 106 over wireless communication link116. Device 106 may include a wireless communication unit 140 to receivethe wireless transmission via one or more antennae 114. Types ofantennae that may be used for antennae 112 and/or 114 may include butare not limited to internal antenna, dipole antenna, omni-directionalantenna, a monopole antenna, an end fed antenna, a circularly polarizedantenna, a micro-strip antenna, a diversity antenna and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link 116 mayhave a bandwidth of at least 160 Mega-Hertz (MHz), e.g., as describedbelow. In other embodiments, wireless communication link 116 may haveany other suitable bandwidth.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 106 may also include, for example, one or more of a processor126, an input unit 118, an output unit 120, a memory unit 122, and astorage unit 124. Wireless communication devices 102 and/or 106 mayoptionally include other suitable hardware components and/or softwarecomponents. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of thecomponents of each of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 106 maybe enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnectedor operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. Inother embodiments, components of each of wireless communication devices102 and/or 106 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

Processor 126 includes, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), aDigital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, asingle-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor,a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality ofprocessors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits,circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), anApplication-Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose orspecific processor or controller. Processor 126 executes instructions,for example, of an Operating System (OS) of wireless communicationdevices 102 and/or 106 and/or of one or more suitable applications.

Input unit 118 includes, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, atouch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitablepointing device or input device. Output unit 120 includes, for example,a monitor, a screen, a flat panel display, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, a plasmadisplay unit, one or more audio speakers or earphones, or other suitableoutput devices.

Memory unit 122 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), aRead Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM(SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, acache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memoryunit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 124 includes, forexample, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD)drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable ornon-removable storage units. Memory unit 122 and/or storage unit 124,for example, may store data processed by wireless communication device102 and/or 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link 116 mayinclude a plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels.

The phrase “non-contiguous channels”, as used herein, may refer to twoor more wireless communication channels, which are not adjacent,neighboring, and/or bordering one another. In one example, first andsecond wireless communication channels may be non-contiguous if, forexample, the first wireless communication channel is separated from thesecond wireless communication channel, e.g., by one or more otherwireless communication channels, sub-channels, frequency bands, and thelike.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least one channel of the pluralityof non-contiguous channels has a bandwidth at least 20 MHz, e.g., atleast 80 MHz. In other embodiments, the non-contiguous wirelesscommunication channels may have any other suitable bandwidth.

In one embodiment, wireless communication link 116 may include at leasttwo non-contiguous channels, each having a bandwidth of 80 MHz, or anyother bandwidth. In other embodiments, wireless communication link 116may include any other suitable number of wireless communicationchannels, which may have any other suitable bandwidth.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described below with reference to awireless communication link, e.g., wireless communication link 116,including two non-contiguous wireless communication channels havingequal bandwidth, e.g., two 80 MHz channels. However, in otherembodiments, the wireless communication link may include two or morenon-contiguous wireless communication channels of different bandwidths.In one example, the wireless communication link may include at least onechannel having a bandwidth of 80 MHz and at least one channel having abandwidth different from 80 MHz, e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 120 MHz, 160 MHzand the like. In other embodiments, wireless communication link 116 mayinclude any other suitable combination of two or more non-contiguouschannels having any suitable bandwidth.

In some embodiments, wireless communication link 116 may include one ormore additional channels, which may or may not be contiguous to one ormore of non-contiguous channels. For example, wireless communicationlink 116 may include first and second non-contiguous 80 MHz channels,and a third channel, e.g., an 80 MHz channel, which may be contiguous toone of the first and second channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least one channel of the pluralityof non-contiguous channels may include two or more contiguous channelsor sub-channels. For example, the 80 Mhz cannel may include fourcontiguous 20 MHz channels, e.g., in accordance with the 802.11standards and/or any other suitable standard and/or protocol.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayinclude a plurality of transmit (Tx) chains 111 to transmit the wirelesstransmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.Wireless communication unit 140 may include a plurality of receive (Rx)chains 144 to receive the wireless transmission over the plurality ofwireless communication channels. For example, wireless communicationunit 108 may include two Tx chains 111 to transmit the wirelesstransmission over two respective non-contiguous channels of link 116and/or wireless communication unit 140 may include two Rx chains 144 toreceive the wireless transmission over the two respective non-contiguouschannels of link 116, e.g., as described in detail below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, Tx chains 111 and/or Rx chains 144may include any suitable Physical-layer (PHY) chains and/or components;any suitable Radio-Frequency (RF) chains and/or components; and/or anyother suitable elements.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayinclude a media-access-controller (MAC) 110, e.g., a single MAC, tocommonly control the transmissions via Tx chains 111; and/or wirelesscommunication unit 140 may include a MAC 142, e.g., a single MAC, tocommonly control the reception via Rx chains 144, e.g., as described indetail below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may control Tx chains 111 tosimultaneously transmit symbols of a wireless communication packet overthe plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels ofwireless communication link 116. MAC 142 may control Rx chains 144 tosimultaneously receive the symbols of the wireless communication packetover the plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels ofwireless communication link 116.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit to wireless communication unit 140 signaling informationdefining transmission characteristics over the plurality ofnon-contiguous channels of link 116, for example, as part of a preambleof the wireless communication packet, e.g., as described in detailbelow.

Reference is also made to FIG. 2, which schematically illustrates atransmission scheme of a wireless communication packet 200 over firstand second non-contiguous wireless communication channels 202 and 204,respectively, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication channel 202(“high channel” or “H channel”) may include a spectrum of wirelesscommunication frequencies, which may greater than a spectrum of wirelesscommunication frequencies included within wireless communication channel204 (“low channel” or “L channel”).

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication channels 202and 204 may have the same bandwidth, e.g., 80 MHz. However, wirelesscommunication channels 202 and 204 may have different bandwidths. In oneexample, one of wireless communication channels 202 and 204 may have abandwidth of 80 MHz, while another of wireless communication channels202 and 204 may have a bandwidth different from 80 MHz, e.g., 20 MHz, 40MHz, 120 MHz, 160, MHz, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication channel 202may include a plurality of contiguous channels or sub-channels 205;and/or wireless communication channel 204 may include a plurality ofcontiguous channels or sub-channels 209. For example, channels 205and/or 209 may include four 20 MHz channels, e.g., in accordance withthe 802.11 standards, and/or any other suitable channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication packet 200 mayinclude a preamble portion 282 followed by a data portion 284.

In some demonstrative embodiments, preamble portion 282 may betransmitted separately and/or synchronously over each of channels 205and 209. Data symbols 289 of packet 200 may be transmitted overnon-contiguous channels 202 and 204, e.g., simultaneously.

In some demonstrative embodiments, preamble portion 282 may includefirst common preamble information transmitted over each of contiguouschannels 205; and/or second common preamble information transmitted overeach of contiguous channels 205. For example, a first plurality oftraining fields 206 may be transmitted over each of contiguous channels205 and/or a second plurality of training fields 210, which may besimilar to or different from training fields 206, may be transmittedover each of contiguous channels 206, e.g., in accordance with the802.11 standards and/or any other suitable standard and/or protocol.

In some demonstrative embodiments, preamble portion 282 may include afirst signaling filed 208 (“signal-H”), which may be transmitted overeach of channels 205, and a second signaling filed 212 (“signal-L”),which may be transmitted over each of channels 209.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 208 may include firstsignaling information defining first transmission characteristics, e.g.,of data portion 284 over wireless communication channel 202; and/orsignaling field 212 may include second signaling information definingsecond transmission characteristics, e.g., of data portion 284, overwireless communication channel 204, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling fields 208 and 212 mayinclude signaling information (“unified signaling information”), whichmay be common and/or unified for both channels 202 and 204, For example,signaling fields 208 and 212 may include unified signaling informationrelating to general characteristics of the transmission of packet 200,for example, a type of the packet, information regarding an aggregationmechanism for transmitting packet 200, and the like, e.g., as describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 3 and/or 4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling fields 208 and 212 mayinclude signaling information (“channel-specific signalinginformation”), which may be channel-specific, e.g., different signalinginformation, defining different transmission characteristics forchannels 202 and 204. For example, signaling fields 208 and 212 mayinclude channel-specific signaling information defining a differentbandwidth, channel allocation, Modulation-Coding-Scheme (MCS), and/orbyte-count to be used for channels 202 and 204, e.g., as described belowwith reference to FIGS. 3 and/or 4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 208 may includeinformation relating to channel 204, for example, an indication thatdata portion 284 is to be transmitted over channel 204 and/or at leastpartial information relating to channel 204; and/or field 212 mayinclude information relating to channel 202, for example, an indicationthat data portion 284 is to be transmitted over channel 202 and/or atleast partial information relating to channel 202.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 208 may also includean indication of one of channels 209, which may be used as a generalprimary channel of channel 204; and/or signaling field 212 may alsoinclude an indication of one of channels 205, which may be used as ageneral primary channel of channel 202, e.g., according to the 802.11standards.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which schematically illustrates asignaling field 300, in accordance with one demonstrative embodiment.Signaling filed 300 may be transmitted as part of a preamble of a packetover at least first and second non-contiguous wireless communicationchannels. Signaling field 300 may include, for example, signaling field208 and/or signaling field 212 (FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 300 may include aunified signaling information portion 302 including unified informationrelating to the non-contiguous channels, e.g., to both channels 202 and204 (FIG. 2). For example, unified signaling information portion 302 mayinclude an aggregation index 383 indicating whether or not the packet,which includes signaling filed 300, e.g., packet 200 (FIG. 2), is partof an aggregated transmission. Aggregation index 383 may have, forexample, a first value, e.g., zero, to indicate that the packet includesan un-aggregated Mac-Protocol-Data-Unit (MPDU), or a second value, e.g.,one, to indicate that the packet includes an Aggregated-MPDU (AMPDU),which may include a plurality of MPDUs, e.g., separated by a suitabledelimiter. In some embodiments, the unified information may also includeunified signaling information relating to transmission characteristicsof the non-contiguous channels, e.g., a unified MCS and/or byte count.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 300 may include achannel-specific signaling information portion 304 includingchannel-specific signaling information relating to transmissioncharacteristics of the non-contiguous channels, e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, channel-specific signalinginformation portion 304 may include signaling information relating toeach of the non-contiguous channels. For example, channel-specificsignaling information portion 304 may include information regarding eachtransmission characteristic for each of the non-contiguous wirelesscommunication channels. Accordingly, substantially the same signalinginformation 300 may be transmitted over each of the non-contiguouswireless communication channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 304 may include an indicator306 to indicate a wireless communication channel (“the current channel”)over which signaling field 300 is being transmitted. For example,indicator 306 may include a value indicating whether signaling field 300is being transmitted over channel 202 or channel 204 (FIG. 2). Indicator306 may include, for example, a first value, e.g., one, to indicate thatsignaling filed 300 is being transmitted over the L channel, a secondvalue, e.g., two, to indicate that signaling filed 300 is beingtransmitted over the H channel, or a third value, e.g., zero, toindicate that signaling field 300 is being transmitted as part of apacket transmitted over contiguous channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 304 may also include firstchannel-specific signaling information 301 relating to a first channelof the non-contiguous channels, e.g., the current channel. For example,first channel-specific signaling information 301 may include signalinginformation relating to the H channel, e.g., if indicator 306 indicatesthat signaling filed 300 is being transmitted over the H channel; orsignaling information relating to the L channel, e.g., if indicator 306indicates that signaling filed 300 is being transmitted over the Lchannel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 304 may also include at leastsecond channel-specific signaling information 303 relating to at least asecond respective channel of the non-contiguous channels, e.g., otherthan the current channel. For example, second channel-specific signalinginformation 303 may include signaling information relating to the Lchannel, e.g., if indicator 306 indicates that signaling filed 300 isbeing transmitted over the H channel; or signaling information relatingto the H channel, e.g., if indicator 306 indicates that signaling filed300 is being transmitted over the L channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling information 301 may definefirst transmission characteristics over the first wireless communicationchannel. For example, signaling information 301 may include bandwidthinformation 308 defining a bandwidth of the current channel; channelallocation information 310 defining an allocation of the currentchannel; MCS information 312 defining an MCS of the current channel,byte count information 314 defining a size relating to the packet, e.g.,a total size of the packet payload or a size of the part of packet 200(FIG. 2) delivered over the current channel; and/or any other suitableinformation defining any other suitable transmission characteristicsover the current channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling information 303 may definesecond transmission characteristics over the second wirelesscommunication channel. For example, signaling information 303 mayinclude bandwidth information 316 defining a bandwidth of the secondchannel; channel allocation information 318 defining an allocation ofthe second channel; MCS information 320 defining an MCS of the secondchannel; byte count information 322 defining a size relating to thepacket, e.g., a total size of the packet payload or a size of the partof packet 200 (FIG. 2) delivered over the second channel; and/or anyother suitable information defining any other suitable transmissioncharacteristics over the second channel.

FIG. 3 shows signaling field 300 including only first and secondchannel-specific signaling information elements, e.g., signalinginformation elements 301 and 303, corresponding to a wirelesscommunication link including first and second non-contiguous wirelesscommunication channels, respectively. However, in other embodiments,signaling field 300 may include any other suitable number, e.g., greaterthan two, of channel-specific information elements corresponding to arespective number of wireless communication channels.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which schematically illustrates asignaling field 400, in accordance with another demonstrativeembodiment. Signaling filed 400 may be transmitted as part of a preambleof a packet transmitted over at least first and second non-contiguouswireless communication channels. Signaling field 400 may include, forexample, signaling field 208 and/or signaling field 212 (FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 400 may include aunified signaling information portion 402 including unified signalinginformation relating to the non-contiguous channels, e.g., to bothchannels 202 and 204 (FIG. 2). For example, unified-signalinginformation portion 402 may include an aggregation index 483 indicatingwhether or not the packet, which includes signaling filed 400, e.g.,packet 200 (FIG. 2), is part of an aggregated transmission. Aggregationindex 483 may have, for example, a first value, e.g., zero, to indicatethat the packet is transmitted as part of an un-aggregated MPDU, or asecond value, e.g., one, to indicate that the packet is transmitted aspart of an AMPDU.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling field 400 may include achannel-specific signaling information portion 404 includingchannel-specific signaling information relating to transmissioncharacteristics of the non-contiguous channels, e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, channel-specific information portion404 may include information relating to a wireless communication channel(“the current channel”) over which signaling field 400 is beingtransmitted, and at least partial signaling information relating to eachof the other non-contiguous channels. For example, channel-specificinformation portion 404 may include information regarding transmissioncharacteristics for the current channel and at least partial informationrelating to each of the other channels. The signaling informationrelating to the other channels may include, for example, informationenabling a device receiving signaling field over the current channel todetermine and/or identify the one or more other non-contiguous channels.Accordingly, different signaling information 400 may be transmitted overeach of the non-contiguous wireless communication channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 404 may include an indicator406 to indicate the current channel. For example, indicator 406 mayinclude a value indicating whether signaling field 400 is beingtransmitted over channel 202 or channel 204 (FIG. 2). Indicator 406 mayinclude, for example, a first value, e.g., one, to indicate thatsignaling filed 400 is being transmitted over the L channel, a secondvalue, e.g., two, to indicate that signaling filed 400 is beingtransmitted over the H channel, or a third value, e.g., zero, toindicate that signaling field 400 is being transmitted as part of apacket transmitted over contiguous channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 404 may also include firstchannel-specific signaling information 401 relating to a first channelof the non-contiguous channels, e.g., the current channel. For example,first channel-specific signaling information 401 may include informationrelating to the H channel, e.g., if indicator 406 indicates thatsignaling filed 400 is being transmitted over the H channel; orsignaling information relating to the L channel, e.g., if indicator 406indicates that signaling filed 400 is being transmitted over the Lchannel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, portion 404 may also include at leastsecond channel-specific signaling information 403 relating to at least asecond respective channel of the non-contiguous channels, e.g., otherthan the current channel. For example, second channel-specific signalinginformation 403 may include signaling information relating to the Lchannel, e.g., if indicator 306 indicates that signaling filed 400 isbeing transmitted over the H channel; or signaling information relatingto the H channel, e.g., if indicator 406 indicates that signaling filed400 is being transmitted over the L channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling information 401 may definefirst transmission characteristics over the first wireless communicationchannel. For example, signaling information 401 may include bandwidthinformation 408 defining a bandwidth of the current channel; channelallocation information 410 defining an allocation of the currentchannel; MCS information 412 defining an MCS of the current channel;byte count information 414 defining a size relating to the packet, e.g.,a total size of the packet payload or a size of the part of packet 200(FIG. 2) delivered over the current channel; and/or any other suitableinformation defining any other suitable transmission characteristicsover the current channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, signaling information 403 may defineat least some second transmission characteristics over the secondwireless communication channel, for example, for example, informationenabling a device receiving signaling field 400 over the current channelto determine and/or identify the second non-contiguous channel. Forexample, second channel-specific information 403 may include bandwidthinformation 416 defining a bandwidth of the second channel, channelallocation information 418 defining an allocation of the second channeland/or any other suitable information defining any other suitabletransmission characteristics over the second channel.

FIG. 4 shows signaling filed 400 including only first and secondchannel-specific signaling information elements, e.g., signalinginformation elements 401 and 403, corresponding to a wirelesscommunication link including first and second non-contiguous wirelesscommunication channels, respectively. However, in other embodiments,signaling field 400 may include any other suitable number, e.g., greaterthan two, of channel-specific signaling information elementscorresponding to a respective number of wireless communication channels.For example, signaling field 400 may include signaling informationelement 401 corresponding to the current channel and a plurality ofsignaling information elements 403 corresponding to a respectiveplurality of non-contiguous channels.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, wirelesscommunication unit 108 may transmit at least first signaling informationover channel 202 (FIG. 2), e.g., as part of signaling field 208 (FIG.2), defining first transmission characteristics over channel 202 (FIG.2). Wireless communication unit 108 may transmit at least secondsignaling information over channel 204 (FIG. 2), e.g., as part ofsignaling field 210 (FIG. 2), defining second transmissioncharacteristics over channel 204 (FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, the first and second transmissioncharacteristics may be independent of one another such that, forexample, one or more of the first transmission characteristics may beselected, defined, set and/or determined independently of one or more ofthe second transmission characteristics, and vice versa. For example,MAC 110 may select, define, set and/or determine the bandwidth,allocation, MCS, byte count and/or any other parameter and/or mechanismof the transmission data portion 284 (FIG. 2) over channel 202 (FIG. 2)independently of the bandwidth, allocation, MCS, byte count and/or anyother parameter and/or mechanism, respectively, of the transmission ofdata portion 284 (FIG. 2) over channel 204 (FIG. 2). For example, ifchannel 202 (FIG. 2) has a first MCS, then MAC 110 may independentlyselect, define, set and/or determine the MCS of channel 204 (FIG. 2),e.g., to be equal to or different from the first MCS.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit to wireless communication unit 140 at least part of the secondsignaling information over channel 202 (FIG. 2), and at least part ofthe first signaling information over channel 204 (FIG. 2), e.g., asdescribed in detail below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit over each of channels 202 and 204 (FIG. 2) substantially thesame signaling information including both the first and secondchannel-specific signaling information, e.g., as described above withreference to FIG. 3.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit different signaling information over channels 202 and 204 (FIG.2). For example, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit only partof the second signaling information over channel 202 (FIG. 2) and/oronly part of the first signaling information over channel 204 (FIG. 2).For example, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit over channel204 (FIG. 2) at least one of a bandwidth of channel 202 (FIG. 2) andchannel allocation information corresponding to channel 202 (FIG. 2);and/or transmit over channel 202 (FIG. 2) at least one of a bandwidth ofchannel 204 (FIG. 2) and channel allocation information corresponding tochannel 204 (FIG. 2), e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may implement a suitableCarrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) mechanism, e.g., a suitablecollision-avoidance CSMA (CSMA/CA) mechanism, for communicating overwireless communication link 116. The CSMA mechanism may include asuitable back-off mechanism, e.g., in accordance with the 802.11standards and/or any other suitable standard and/or protocol.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may utilize a plurality ofback-off mechanisms for communicating over the plurality ofnon-contiguous channels of wireless communication link 116. For example,MAC 110 may communicate over a first channel of the plurality ofchannels, e.g., channel 202 (FIG. 2), according to a first back-offmechanism and over a second channel of the plurality of channels, e.g.,channel 204 (FIG. 2), according to a second back-off mechanism. Forexample, MAC 110 may manage and/or countdown first and second, e.g.,different, back-off periods over the first and second channels,respectively.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may manage the first back-offmechanism over a primary channel, e.g., a channel of channels 205 (FIG.2), belonging to channel 202 (FIG. 2); and/or MAC 110 may manage thesecond back-off mechanism over a primary channel, e.g., a channel ofchannels 209 (FIG. 2), belonging to channel 204 (FIG. 2)

In one embodiment, the first and second back-off mechanisms may beidentical, e.g., utilizing one or more identical back-off parameters,e.g., contention window parameters, and the like. In another embodiment,the first and second back-off mechanisms may be different from onanother, e.g., utilizing one or more different back-off parameters,e.g., contention window parameters, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, after a back-off period of the firstback-off mechanism is complete, MAC 110 wait up to a predefined timeperiod, denoted Δ1, for a back-off period of the second back-offmechanism to complete, prior to transmitting over the first channelAfter the back-off period of the second back-off mechanism is complete,MAC 110 wait up to a predefined time period, denoted Δ2, for theback-off period of the first back-off mechanism to complete, prior totransmitting over the second channel. In one embodiment, the time periodΔ1 may be equal to the time period Δ2. In another embodiment, the timeperiod Δ1 may be different from the time period Δ2.

In some demonstrative embodiments, if the back-off period of the secondback-off mechanism is complete within the predefined time period Δ1, MAC110 may transmit over both the first and second channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may restart a back-offcounter of the first back-off mechanism and a back-off counter of thesecond back-off mechanism after completing the transmission in both thefirst and second channels.

In some demonstrative embodiments, if the back-off period of the secondback-off mechanism is not completed within the predefined time periodΔ1, MAC 110 may transmit, for example, only over the first channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, MAC 110 may restart the back-offcounter of the first back-off mechanism and the back-off counter of thesecond back-off mechanism after completing the transmission in the firstchannel.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which schematically illustrates a method ofwireless communication over non-contiguous channels. In someembodiments, one or more operations of the method of FIG. 5 may beperformed by one or more elements of a system, e.g., system 100 (FIG.1), for example, device 102 (FIG. 2), wireless communication unit 108(FIG. 1) and/or MAC 110 (FIG. 1).

As indicated at block 500, the method may include transmitting at leastfirst and second signaling information over at least first and secondnon-contiguous channels, respectively. For example, wirelesscommunication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit signal fields 208 and 212(FIG. 2) over non-contiguous wireless communication channels 202 and 204(FIG. 2), respectively, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block 502, transmitting the first and second signalinginformation may include transmitting first signaling informationdefining first transmission characteristics over the first channel, andsecond signaling information defining second transmissioncharacteristics, independent of the first transmission characteristics,over the second channel. For example, wireless communication unit 108(FIG. 1) may transmit signaling information fields 300 (FIG. 3) and/or400 (FIG. 4) over channels 202 and/or 204 (FIG. 2), e.g., as describedabove.

As indicated at block 504, transmitting the first and second signalinginformation may include transmitting the substantially same signalinginformation over both the first and second non-contiguous channels. Forexample, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit signalingfield 300 (FIG. 3) including signaling information elements 301 and 303(FIG. 3) over each of channels 202 and 204 (FIG. 1), e.g., as describedabove.

As indicated at block 506, transmitting the first and second signalinginformation may include transmitting different signaling informationover the first and second wireless communication channels. For example,wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit over channel 202(FIG. 2) signaling field 400 (FIG. 4) including signaling informationelement 401 (FIG. 1) relating to channel 202 (FIG. 2) and signalinginformation element 403 (FIG. 1) relating to channel 204 (FIG. 2); andwireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit over channel 204(FIG. 2) signaling field 400 (FIG. 4) including signaling informationelement 401 (FIG. 1) relating to channel 204 (FIG. 2) and signalinginformation element 403 (FIG. 1) relating to channel 202 (FIG. 2), e.g.,as described above.

As indicated at block 508, the method may include transmitting symbolsof a wireless communication packet over the first and second channels,according to the first and second transmission characteristics,respectively. For example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) maytransmit data portion 284 (FIG. 2) over channels 202 and 204 (FIG. 2),e.g., as described above.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, which schematically illustrates an articleof manufacture 600, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.Article 600 may include a machine-readable storage medium 602 to storelogic 604, which may be used, for example, to perform at least part ofthe functionality of MAC 110 (FIG. 1) and/or to perform one or moreoperations of the method of FIG. 5.

In some demonstrative embodiments, article 600 and/or machine-readablestorage medium 602 may include one or more types of computer-readablestorage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory,non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable ornon-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. Forexample, machine-readable storage medium 602 may include, RAM, DRAM,Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), CompactDisk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory(e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM),polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory,silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppydisk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magneticcard, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. Thecomputer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involvedwith downloading or transferring a computer program from a remotecomputer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in acarrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link,e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 604 may include instructions,data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method, process and/or operations as describedherein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processingplatform, computing platform, computing device, processing device,computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like,and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware,software, firmware, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 604 may include, or may beimplemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program,a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words,values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitabletype of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Theinstructions may be implemented according to a predefined computerlanguage, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform acertain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitablehigh-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab,Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations,components and/or features described herein with reference to one ormore other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, tobe understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: at least first andsecond receive (Rx) chains; and a media-access-controller (MAC)configured to control the at least first and second Rx chains to receivesymbols of a wireless communication packet over at least first andsecond non-contiguous channels, the MAC controller configured to controlthe first Rx chain according to first signaling information definingfirst transmission characteristics over the first channel, the MACcontroller configured to control the second Rx chain according to secondsignaling information defining second transmission characteristics overthe second channel, the first signaling information to be received overthe first channel, the second signaling information to be received overthe second channel, the first signaling information comprising at leastone type of information selected from the group consisting of abandwidth of the first channel, and channel allocation informationcorresponding to the first channel.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1configured to process at least part of the second signaling informationreceived over the first channel, and to process at least part of thefirst signaling information received over the second channel.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 configured to process the first and secondsignaling information received over each of the first and secondchannels.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to process the firstand second signaling information as part of a preamble of said wirelesscommunication packet.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to processfirst and second information elements received over the first channel,the first and second information elements comprising the first andsecond signaling information, respectively.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5configured to process the first and second information elements receivedover the second channel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstchannel comprises a first 80 Megahertz (MHz) channel, and the secondchannel comprises a second 80 MHz channel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one channel of the at least first and second channelsis formed by two or more contiguous channels, the apparatus isconfigured to process a preamble of the wireless communication packetover the contiguous channels.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one channel of the first and second channels has a bandwidth of atleast 20 megahertz (MHz).
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast first and second channels have a total bandwidth of at least 160megahertz (MHz).
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an Rx chain ofthe first and second Rx chains comprises one or more Physical Layer(PHY) components, and one or more Radio Frequency (RF) components. 12.The apparatus of claim 1 comprising one or more antennas.
 13. A productcomprising a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereoninstructions that, when executed by a machine, result in: receiving overa first channel of a plurality of non-contiguous channels at least firstsignaling information defining first transmission characteristics overthe first channel, and receiving over a second channel of the pluralityof non-contiguous channels at least second signaling informationdefining second transmission characteristics over the second channel,the first signaling information comprising at least one type ofinformation selected from the group consisting of a bandwidth of thefirst channel, and channel allocation information corresponding to thefirst channel; and processing symbols of a wireless communication packetreceived over the first and second channels according to the first andsecond transmission characteristics, respectively.
 14. The product ofclaim 13, wherein the instructions result in: receiving over the firstchannel at least part of the second signaling information; and receivingover the second channel at least part of the first signalinginformation.
 15. The product of claim 13, wherein the instructionsresult in receiving substantially the same signaling information overboth the first and second non-contiguous channels.
 16. The product ofclaim 13, wherein the instructions result in receiving differentsignaling information over the first and second channels.
 17. Theproduct of claim 13, wherein said instructions result in processing saidfirst and second signaling information as part of a preamble of saidwireless communication packet.
 18. The product of claim 13, wherein saidinstructions result in receiving over the first channel first and secondinformation elements comprising the first and second signalinginformation, respectively.
 19. The product of claim 13, wherein thefirst channel comprises a first 80 Megahertz (MHz) channel, and thesecond channel comprises a second 80 MHz channel.
 20. The product ofclaim 13, wherein at least one channel of the plurality of channelscomprises two or more contiguous channels, and wherein the instructionsresult in processing a preamble of the packet received over thecontiguous channels.
 21. The product of claim 13, wherein at least onechannel of the plurality of channels has a bandwidth of at least 20megahertz (MHz).
 22. The product of claim 13, wherein the plurality ofchannels have a total bandwidth of at least 160 megahertz (MHz).
 23. Awireless communication device comprising: a memory; a processor; one ormore antennas; and a wireless communication unit configured to receiveover a first channel of a plurality of non-contiguous channels at leastfirst signaling information defining first transmission characteristicsover the first channel, the wireless communication unit configured toreceive over a second channel of the plurality of non-contiguouschannels at least second signaling information defining secondtransmission characteristics over the second channel, the firstsignaling information comprising at least one type of informationselected from the group consisting of a bandwidth of the first channeland channel allocation information corresponding to the first channel,the wireless communication unit configured to process symbols of awireless communication packet received over the first and secondchannels according to the first and second transmission characteristics,respectively.
 24. The wireless communication device of claim 23, whereinsaid wireless communication unit is configured to process said first andsecond signaling information as part of a preamble of said wirelesscommunication packet.
 25. The wireless communication device of claim 23,wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a plurality ofreceive (Rx) chains.